The bowling family recently lost one of its staunchest supporters, Vladimir A. "Chief" Wapensky.
Chief served as executive director of the BPAA for 20 years, resided in Arlington, Tex., and was a good friend.
I had read Chief's columns in the Dallas-based Bowling News for many years, and I finally got to meet him about five years ago at a Bowling Writers Association of America convention. We hit it off almost immediately.
Chief got his nickname the same way I got a similar nickname, Chief. We were both retired Army chief warrant officers. Chief had served his military career in personnel and administration, and I was with the Army CID. It didn't take long, and we were telling war stories and the friendship began.
I was elected president of the Southern Bowling Writers Association, and Chief was our parliamentarian. Soon after I assumed the office we had some issues that needed to be resolved and Chief was my go-to guy. I was absolutely amazed at how proficient he was at the job and how willing he was to take the time to ensure we did what was right.
We spent a lot of hours on the computer passing E-mail back and forth. It was during that time that Chief confided in me his health problems. We had been discussing military benefits, his health, my health, and that of my wife. He was always up beat even when his trips to the doctor were not always pleasant.
Chief was a lot of things to a lot of people, but I will always remember him as a professional, decorated veteran, and a wonderful gentleman. I will dearly miss him.
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Well, I was glad to see the PBA Tour start again and was not surprised to see Walter Ray Williams Jr. on the show. I predicted the drought would end.
I was surprised that he won the tournament having seen Lonnie Waliczek in several PBA regional events and during the first part of the tour. Needing only a mark to take the event, I never suspected he'd leave a washout. Such are the breaks of bowling, I guess.
I was really excited about the Tour starting again, but after the show I was a bit disappointed. I found it a little boring. Watching Waliczek is like watching paint dry.
Duke put some excitement in his match against Waliczek and only injury prevented Duke from advancing. Regardless, Duke is a class act, right up there with the likes of Dick Weber.
Did ESPN hire the four or five women that were seated along side the lanes? I guess they were supposed to be cheerleaders? Even Duke said, "You're killing me." Come on; let's leave that stuff for the X-Games.
I know the professional bowlers have a mental game that we amateurs don't have and what would distract me obviously doesn't bother them. But, I don't get why they have Brunswick emblazed on one lane and not on the other. Why have it at all? I could understand having Storm on both lanes, but personally, I'd leave the lanes as they are supposed to be and eliminate lane advertisement all together. What's next a listing of all sponsors from pin deck to foul line?
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Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan., is a promising rookie and I was fortunate enough to watch him while he was a member of the YABA. Bohr was one of the brightest stars in the Austin, Tex., area. When he left for Wichita, I often saw his father during league competition. We both participated in a travel league, and he would keep me posted on Nathan's progress.
I'm glad to see this young man doing so well. It isn't a surprise, really. But, he's a fine young man with a great personality, and I predict he will go far.
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How about Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Tex.? Three consecutive top five finishes in the first half of the tour, and there he was in the finals of the first event of the second half. Mike hasn't won yet, but it's just a matter of time. Those of us that follow the PBA Southwest regional program know exactly how good Mike is, and the guys on the National Tour are finding out also.
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It looks like the PBA movers and shakers will extend their services to the PBA Regional programs. Adding money to their prize funds (about a 20 percent increase), point leaders in each region will earn an exemption onto the PBA Tour for the following season, guaranteeing the regional player at least $32,000 in the 16 standard PBA Tour events.
Regional players have to be happy, but what about the seniors?
Come on PBA, you'd have no tour without the legends and some are getting on in years which could prevent my grandkids from ever seeing them.
See you on the lanes.